Footballer Faisal Halim is mobile again after an acid attack by fans in the shopping center

Malaysian footballer Faisal Halim is making significant progress in his recovery after being doused with acid on Sunday.

According to Malaysian national news agency Bernama (h/t Reuters), Selangor Football Association deputy president Shahril Mokhtar provided a positive update on Halim, saying: “I heard this morning that he started walking around the room and was on his own went to the toilet. That is a positive development. He wants to go home.”

Someone attacked Halim with acid at a mall on Sunday, causing fourth-degree burns and affecting both his mobility and speech.

Halim underwent a three-hour skin allograft surgery on Thursday and although he is scheduled for further surgery, a full recovery is expected.

According to Reuters (h/t ESPN), Halim was one of several Malaysian soccer players who were recently targeted.

Last week, Akhyar Rashid was injured when he was robbed outside his house and on Tuesday, Safiq Rahim had his vehicle’s windshield broken.

For this reason, the Malaysian Football Association recommended that players and teams hire additional security guards.

Selangor FC was due to open its season with a charity shield game against Johor Darul Ta’zim on Friday, but it was canceled after Selangor withdrew due to security concerns following the attack on Halim.